Background of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a filler panel, and more particularly, a roller
shade filler panel for a rack.
[0002] Filler panels are well known in the art. Typically, filler panels are capable of
accommodating only one size of opening. However, as electronic equipment is added
to and subtracted from a rack, the size of the opening changes. Therefore, there is
a need for a filler panel that is capable of accommodating more than one size of the
opening.
[0003] US2004/227435 A1 discloses an enclosure for housing electronic equipment that accommodates the different
cooling and ventilating requirements of different types of equipment. The enclosure
is constructed and arranged to support cooling airflow in a front-to-back configuration
through the enclosure and in a side-to-side configuration from one side to an opposite
side of the enclosure.
[0004] US2010/000953 A1 discloses a modular blocking panel system for a rack. The modular blocking panel
system consists of multiple standardised panels which snap-together, or slidably attach
to one another, in order to fill openings of any size in a rack.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for closing off
an opening above, below, or between electronic equipment in a rack. The rack includes
a pair of equipment rails. The electronic equipment is mounted to the equipment rails.
The apparatus includes a base, a roller shade, and a handle. The roller shade is rotatably
connected to the base and includes a free end extending from the base when the roller
shade is rotated. The handle is connected to the free end of the roller shade. The
base is removably connected to the pair of equipment rails at a first position. The
handle is removably connected to the pair of equipment rails at a second position
spaced apart from the first position such that the free end of the roller shade is
extended to close off the opening in the rack.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006]
FIG.1 is a perspective view of a roller shade filler panel for a rack according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.2 is an exploded view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG.1;
FIG.3 is a perspective view of a portion of a rack;
FIG.4 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG.1 installed in
the rack of FIG.3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 4, showing one
side of the base removably connected to the equipment rail;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a floating cage nut and a threaded thumb screw knob
for the base of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 4, showing one
side of the handle removably connected to the equipment rail;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a floating cage nut and a bullet for the handle of FIG.
7;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 4, showing the
handle repositioned to accommodate equipment installed below the roller shade filler
panel;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 9, showing
the handle repositioned to accommodate additional equipment installed below the roller
shade filler panel;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 10, showing
the base repositioned to accommodate equipment installed above the roller shade filler
panel;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 11, showing
the base repositioned to accommodate additional equipment installed above the roller
shade filler panel;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 3, showing equipment installed at
various locations along the equipment rails;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 1, showing
two of the roller shade filler panels of FIG. 1 positioned between the equipment in
the rack of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 2, showing the base
of the roller shade filler panel;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the base of FIG. 15, showing the adjustable edge seal
on the top edge of the base in a retracted position;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the base of FIG. 15, showing the adjustable edge seal
on the top edge of the base in an extended position;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 2, showing the handle
of the roller shade filler panel;
FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the handle of FIG. 15, showing the adjustable edge
seal on the bottom edge of the base in a retracted position;
FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the handle of FIG. 15, showing the adjustable edge
seal on the bottom edge of the base in an extended position;
FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the roller shade filler panel of FIG. 4, showing one
of the clips for securing the roller shade to the equipment rails; and
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21.
Detailed Description
[0007] FIGS. 1-14 illustrate a roller shade filler panel 100 for a rack 10, such as a 2-post
rack or a 4-post rack, which may also be referred to as a cabinet or an enclosure,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] As best seen in FIG. 1, the roller shade filler panel 100 includes a base 110, a
roller shade 120 rotatably connected to the base 110, and a handle 130 connected to
a free end 122 of the roller shade 120. The roller shade 120 rotates from a retracted
position (FIG. 1) to an extended position (FIGS. 4, 9-12, and 14). Preferably, the
roller shade 120 is under constant tension so that it will return to the retracted
position, but it is likewise contemplated that the roller shade 120 includes a tension-relieving
device, for example, similar to that of a seat belt or a window shade.
[0009] As best seen in FIG. 2, the base 110 includes a pair of side flanges 112. The side
flanges 112 are for mounting the roller shade 120 to the base 110. Additionally, the
side flanges 112 are for mounting a roller shade guide rod 114 to the base 110. The
roller shade guide rod 114 is secured to the base 110 by a pair of fasteners 116.
The roller shade guide rod 114 is for aligning the roller shade 120 with the front
of the base 110.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 110 includes a grounding fastener 115, for example,
mounted between one of the side flanges 112 and the grounding rod 114, for grounding
the roller shade filler panel 100.
[0011] As best seen in FIG. 2, the roller shade 120 includes a pair of pins 124 for engaging
the side flanges 112 of the base 110 and a pair of end caps 126 for minimizing "walking"
as the roller shade 120 retracts. Preferably, the side flanges 112 include embossed
regions 118 for engaging the pins 124 and the end caps 126, and minimizing side-to-side
movement of the roller shade 120.
[0012] Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 2, the handle 130 includes a pair of side flanges
132. The side flanges 132 are for mounting a roller shade mounting rod 134 to the
handle 130. The free end 122 of the roller shade 120 includes a loop 128. The roller
shade mounting rod 134 is positioned through the loop 128 and secured to the handle
130 by a pair of fasteners 136. Additionally, the handle 130 includes a top flange
138. The top flange 138 is for aligning the roller shade 120 with the front of the
handle 130.
[0013] As best seen in FIG. 3, the rack 10 includes a pair of equipment rails 20, which
may also be referred to as channels or posts. Other components of the rack 10, such
as floor mounting brackets and adjustable shelves, as well as additional equipment
rails, channels, and posts, have been omitted for clarity.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 4, the roller shade filler panel 100 is positioned in the rack 10
and extends from the top of the equipment rails 20 to the bottom of the equipment
rails 20, closing off the opening between the equipment rails 20.
[0015] The roller shade filler panel 100 is removably connected to the equipment rails 20.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 110 is removably connected to the equipment
rails 20 by a floating cage nut 140 and a threaded thumb screw knob 150. Similarly,
as shown in FIG. 7, the handle 130 is removably connected to the equipment rails 20
by a floating cage nut 160, a bullet 170, and a pair of latches 180, each of which
is slidably connected to the handle 130 by a shaft 182, a spring 184, a pair of o-rings
186, and a pair of front flanges 188. Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 2, the handle
130 includes a latch cover 190 for covering proximate ends of the latches 180. The
cover 190 is secured to the handle 130 by a pair of fasteners 192.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 6, the floating cage nut 140 includes a floating portion 142 for
accommodating non-standard spacing between the equipment rails 20. Similarly, as shown
in FIG. 8, the floating cage nut 160 includes a floating portion 162 for accommodating
non-standard spacing between the equipment rails 20, as well as a fastener 164 for
engaging the bullet 170. It is likewise contemplated that the roller shade filler
panel 100 includes a standard cage nut.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 9-12, the roller shade filler panel 100 is repositioned to accommodate
equipment 30, such as servers, switches, and patch panels, as the equipment 30 is
installed in the rack 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, without removing
the base 130 from the equipment rails 20, the handle 130 is repositioned to accommodate
equipment 30 installed below the roller shade filler panel 100. Similarly, as shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12, without removing the handle 130 from the equipment rails 20, the
base 110 is repositioned to accommodate equipment 30 installed above the roller shade
filler panel 100.
[0018] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, two roller shade filler panels 100 are
positioned between the equipment 30.
[0019] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the roller shade filler panel 100
includes an adjustable edge seal. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15-17, a top edge
117 of the base 110 includes an adjustable edge seal 119 for sealing against equipment
30 installed above the roller shade filler panel 100. Similarly, as shown in FIGS.
18-20, a bottom edge 137 of the handle 130 includes an adjustable edge seal 139 for
sealing against equipment 30 installed below the roller shade filler panel 100.
[0020] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the roller shade filler panel 100
includes radio-frequency identification ("RFID"). For example, components of the roller
shade filler panel 100, including the base 110 and the handle 130, as well as components
of the rack 10, including the equipment rails 20, preferably at one rack unit ("1RU")
intervals, and the equipment 30, include RFID tags to determine the location of the
roller shade filler panel 100, for example, with respect to the rack 10, the equipment
rails 20 and the equipment 30.
[0021] As best seen in FIGS.21 and 22, but also shown in FIGS. 4, 9-12, and 14, the roller
shade filler panel 100 includes one or more clips 200 for securing the roller shade
120 to the equipment rails 20.
[0022] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments
outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements,
whether known or presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary
embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting.
1. An apparatus (100) for closing off an opening above, below, or between electronic
equipment in a rack (10), the rack comprising a pair of equipment rails (20), the
electronic equipment mounted to the equipment rails, the apparatus comprising:
a base (110);
a roller shade (120) rotatably connected to the base, the roller shade having a free
end (122), the free end extending from the base when the roller shade is rotated;
and
a handle (130) connected to the free end of the roller shade,
wherein the base is removably connected to the pair of equipment rails at a first
position, and
wherein the handle is removably connected to the pair of equipment rails at a second
position spaced apart from the first position such that the free end of the roller
shade is extended to close off the opening in the rack.
2. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the base (110) includes a pair of side flanges
(112) for receiving the roller shade (120).
3. The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein each of the side flanges (112) includes an
embossed region (118).
4. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the roller shade (120) includes a pair of
pins (124) for rotatably connecting the roller shade to the base (110).
5. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the roller shade (120) includes a pair of
end caps (126) for minimizing side-to-side movement of the roller shade.
6. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the roller shade (120) includes a tensioning
device.
7. The apparatus (100) of claim 6, wherein the roller shade (120) includes a tension-relieving
device for relieving tension in the roller shade.
8. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the handle (130) includes a mounting rod (134)
for securing the handle to the free end (122) of the roller shade (120).
9. The apparatus (100) of claim 8, wherein the free end (122) of the roller shade (120)
includes a loop (128) for receiving the mounting rod (134).
10. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the base (110) includes a guide rod (114)
for aligning the roller shade (120) with the front of the base.
11. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the handle (130) includes a top flange (138)
for aligning the roller shade (120) with the front of the handle.
12. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the base (110) includes a pair of threaded
thumb screw knobs (150) for securing the base to the equipment rails (20).
13. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the handle (130) includes a pair of slide
latches (180) for securing the handle to the equipment rails (20).
14. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising a floating cage nut (160) for removably
connecting at least one of the base (110) and the handle (130) to one of the equipment
rails (20), the floating cage nut having a first portion removably connected to one
of the equipment rails and a second portion removably connected to the at least one
of the base and the handle and slidably connected to the first portion such that the
at least one of the base and the handle slides relative to the equipment rails to
accommodate non-standard spacing between the equipment rails.
15. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising a clip (200) for securing the roller
shade (120) to one of the equipment rails (20).
1. Vorrichtung (100) zum Verschließen einer Öffnung oberhalb, unterhalb, oder zwischen
elektronischen Geräten in einem Gestell (10), wobei das Gestell ein Paar Geräteschienen
(20) umfasst, wobei die elektronischen Geräte an den Geräteschienen montiert sind,
wobei die Vorrichtung Folgendes umfasst:
eine Basis (110);
eine Rolljalousie (120), die drehbar mit der Basis verbunden ist, wobei die Rolljalousie
ein freies Ende (122) aufweist, wobei sich das freie Ende von der Basis erstreckt,
wenn die Rolljalousie gedreht wird; und
einen Griff (130), der mit dem freien Ende der Rolljalousie verbunden ist,
wobei die Basis mit dem Paar Geräteschienen an einer ersten Stelle lösbar verbunden
ist, und
wobei der Griff mit dem Paar Geräteschienen an einer zweiten Stelle, die von der ersten
Stelle derart beabstandet ist, dass das freie Ende der Rolljalousie ausgezogen wird,
um die Öffnung im Gestell zu verschließen, lösbar verbunden ist.
2. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Basis (110) ein Paar Seitenflansche (112)
zum Aufnehmen der Rolljalousie (120) aufweist.
3. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei jeder der Seitenflansche (112) einen gestanzten
Bereich (118) aufweist.
4. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rolljalousie (120) ein Paar Stifte (124)
zum drehbaren Verbinden der Rolljalousie mit der Basis (110) aufweist.
5. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rolljalousie (120) ein Paar Endkappen
(126) zum Verringern einer Seitwärtsbewegung der Rolljalousie aufweist.
6. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rolljalousie (120) eine Spannvorrichtung
aufweist.
7. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Rolljalousie (120) eine Spannungsentlastungsvorrichtung
zum Abbauen einer Spannung in der Rolljalousie aufweist.
8. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Griff (130) einen Befestigungsstab (134)
zum Befestigen des Griffs an dem freien Ende (122) der Rolljalousie (120) aufweist.
9. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 8, wobei das freie Ende (122) der Rolljalousie (120)
eine Schlaufe (128) zur Aufnahme der Befestigungsstange (134) aufweist.
10. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Basis (110) eine Führungsstange (114)
zum Ausrichten der Rolljalousie (120) mit der Vorderseite der Basis aufweist.
11. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Griff (130) einen oberen Flansch (138)
zum Ausrichten der Rolljalousie (120) mit der Vorderseite des Griffs aufweist.
12. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Basis (110) ein Paar von mit einem Gewinde
versehenen Fingerschraubenknöpfen (150) zum Befestigen der Basis an den Geräteschienen
(20) aufweist.
13. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Griff (130) ein Paar Schiebeverriegelungen
(180) zum Befestigen des Griffs an den Geräteschienen (20) aufweist.
14. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, die ferner eine schwimmend gelagerte Käfigmutter
(160) umfasst, um mindestens eines der Basis (110) und des Griffs (130) lösbar mit
einer der Geräteschienen (20) zu verbinden, wobei die schwimmend gelagerte Käfigmutter
einen ersten Abschnitt, der lösbar mit einer der Geräteschienen verbunden ist und
einen zweiten Abschnitt, der lösbar mit mindestens einem von der Basis und dem Griff
verbunden ist und gleitbeweglich derart mit dem ersten Abschnitt verbunden ist, dass
das mindestens eine von der Basis und dem Griff relativ zu den Geräteschienen gleitet,
um einen nicht standardmäßigen Abstand zwischen den Geräteschienen auszugleichen,
aufweist.
15. Vorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, die ferner einen Clip (200) zum Befestigen der
Rolljalousie (120) an einer der Geräteschienen (20) umfasst.
1. Appareil (100) pour fermer une ouverture au-dessus, au-dessous ou entre un équipement
électronique dans une baie (10), la baie comprenant une paire de rails d'équipement
(20), l'équipement électronique monté sur les rails d'équipement, l'appareil comprenant
:
une base (110) ;
un store à enroulement automatique (120) relié de manière rotative à la base, le store
à enroulement automatique ayant une extrémité libre (122), l'extrémité libre s'étendant
à partir de la base lorsque le store à enroulement automatique est tourné ; et
une poignée (130) reliée à l'extrémité libre du store à enroulement automatique,
la base étant reliée de manière amovible à la paire de rails d'équipement à une première
position, et
la poignée étant reliée de manière amovible à la paire de rails d'équipement à une
seconde position espacée de la première position de sorte que l'extrémité libre du
store à enroulement automatique soit étendue pour fermer l'ouverture dans la baie.
2. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la base (110) comprenant une paire de brides
latérales (112) pour recevoir le store à enroulement automatique (120).
3. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 2, chacune des brides latérales (112) comprenant
une région en relief (118).
4. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, le store à enroulement automatique (120)
comprenant une paire de broches (124) pour relier de manière rotative le store à enroulement
automatique à la base (110).
5. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, le store à enroulement automatique (120)
comprenant une paire de capuchons d'extrémité (126) pour minimiser le mouvement latéral
du store à enroulement automatique.
6. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, le store à enroulement automatique (120)
comprenant un dispositif de tension.
7. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 6, le store à enroulement automatique (120)
comprenant un dispositif de relâchement de tension pour relâcher la tension dans le
store à enroulement automatique.
8. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la poignée (130) comprenant une tige de montage
(134) pour fixer la poignée à l'extrémité libre (122) du store à enroulement automatique
(120).
9. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 8, l'extrémité libre (122) du store à enroulement
automatique (120) comprenant une boucle (128) pour recevoir la tige de montage (134).
10. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la base (110) comprenant une tige de guidage
(114) pour aligner le store à enroulement automatique (120) avec l'avant de la base.
11. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la poignée (130) comprenant une bride supérieure
(138) pour aligner le store à enroulement automatique (120) avec l'avant de la poignée.
12. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la base (110) comprenant une paire de griffes
à vis de serrage filetées (150) pour fixer la base aux rails d'équipement (20).
13. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, la poignée (130) comprenant une paire de
verrous coulissants (180) pour fixer la poignée aux rails d'équipement (20).
14. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un écrou-cage flottant
(160) pour relier de manière amovible la base (110) et/ou la poignée (130) à l'un
des rails d'équipement (20), l'écrou-cage flottant ayant une première partie reliée
de manière amovible à l'un des rails d'équipement et une seconde partie reliée de
manière amovible à la base et/ou à la poignée et reliée de manière coulissante à la
première partie de sorte que la base et/ou la poignée coulisse par rapport aux rails
d'équipement pour s'adapter à un espacement non standard entre les rails d'équipement.
15. Appareil (100) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un clip (200) pour fixer
le store à enroulement automatique (120) à l'un des rails d'équipement (20).